Bronze Awardee, Lucy Myatt, was first told about the Award by her college Youth Support Worker, Jamie, and through his encouragement, she decided that it was a challenge she wanted to take on. Lucy is one of over 4,000 young people to receive Disadvantaged Youth Funding to enable her to take part in the Award, and was grateful she had the opportunity to step outside of her comfort zone and experience new things, and was extremely proud of how the Award helped her to do this. Lucy had numerous positive experiences undertaking her Bronze Award, including the highlight of her Award Journey - competing in the Special Olympics Australia!
“Sometimes, because I am in the learning support unit, it feels like I can’t do everything, but Jamie (Youth Support Worker) told me that The Duke of Ed was for everyone… so I thought I’d try it. I really loved doing the Award.”
For her Voluntary Service Section, Lucy helped in the library at her college, organising all the books and leaflets. For her Skills Section she worked on improving her paper folding art skills in origami, learning a new design each week.
For her Adventurous Journey, she went hiking in the Tidbinbilla National Park. This journey was a very significant undertaking for Lucy, who had never been on a trip away from home before. In spite of her nerves before starting, and a touch of homesickness during the hike, she persevered and was very proud of herself when she finished. The distance was a challenge for Lucy, given she was not used to walking so far, however she loved the experience; she got to spend time taking part in team challenges with friends and building camp fires. As a bonding experience, Lucy thought it was invaluable, but more than this, she felt it showed her what she is capable of when she pushes her boundaries.
Lucy had always enjoyed ten-pin bowling, so for her Physical Recreation Section she decided to make a concerted effort to improve her skills in bowling further, joining a Ten pin bowling disability league known as Wizards. In April 2018, she was given the opportunity to bowl in the Special Olympics Australia in Adelaide as part of a team, single and a pair. Not only did Lucy have the time of her life bowling at the Special Olympics Australia, she also received a Silver Medal for her pair bowling, and ribbons for 4th place in Singles and 5th place in Teams. Understandably, for Lucy this was the most memorable part of her Award experience and the moment that she is most proud of.
Lucy plans to continue on her Award journey with the hope she can undertake both the Silver and Gold Awards, but first she is looking forward to receiving her Bronze Award in front of all her friends.
“I feel really proud that I have completed my Bronze Award, I want to do the Silver Award now and go away on camp again with my friends. Thanks to the Duke of Ed for helping me with the costs and Jamie for getting me to do the Award and supporting me, especially when I was a bit homesick on the camp.”
